Outdoor Heating With Fire Pits and Patio Heaters

The best outdoor heater can extend al fresco dining and backyard entertaining season well into the chillier months. Options include fire pits, fire places, and patio heaters. There’s a design to match every landscape, and they require low maintenance and upkeep after the initial installation. We put together this patio heater buying guide to show that it’s easier to create a cozy, heated backyard space than you might expect.

Benefits of a Firepit

Whether looking for a camping experience a little closer to home or adding some shine and glow to an outdoor living space, outdoor heating adds a unique, comfy atmosphere. The best outdoor heater can be a permanent installation hooked into the home gas line, or more portable, plugged into the electric. 

With proper planning, an outdoor fire pit worked into the landscaping can add to the home’s value, as well as your family’s and friends’ enjoyment of the yard. The best outdoor patio heater or fire pit becomes an instant focal point to the layout, the warmth and light drawing guests near and amplifying the social experience, while providing a relaxing ambiance.

A fire pit can double as an open-flame grill or BBQ with the right accessories, perfect for an evening’s dessert of s’mores, or the morning cup of tea or coffee from a camp kettle. Any outdoor heating source provides warmth, a place for entertainment, and ready conversation; it all depends on how you use the space.

Custom Fire Features

Fire pits

Fire pits are available in a variety of styles and materials. Some are metal crafted, raised pans, with decorated sides to protect the fire logs and stones inside.  

One of the more popular trends of this variety is the wood burning fire pit, which is made of a steel body frame, often with cement sides, or slate and ceramic-lined decorations. Wood fueled fires tend to throw more heat and can be cheaper to maintain than natural gas or liquid propane fuel. They are freestanding, usually shorter than they are round, and come in square or circular footprints. Metal mesh screens can be fit for safety, and other accessories can be added that allow cooking over the open flames.

Other outdoor fireplaces are built into walls, or set as low wall toppers, or in the center of bistro tables and end tables to use as accent decorations as well as for warmth. They can be found with smooth, metal or tile inlay tops, or with a removable panel that reveals a shallow fire tray. The trays hold burners connected to the home’s natural gas line or a hidden liquid propane tank, and lava or glass stones to help reflect the light and heat from the flames. 

Liquid propane fire pits and natural gas burners allow for a variety of materials to be used in the construction of fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, from cement and steel to aluminum and glass, ceramic tile to resin formed bases. Heavy cement and slate bases add to the durability of the fire pit, protecting the propane tank or gas hookups inside, out of sight. Slate tile edges and table tops add a decorative flare and function as a table edge or as extra space to discourage pets or people from getting caught by the flames. 

Either of the freestanding styles are ready to incorporate into any outdoor seating arrangement. They can range from a tabletop tray 4” tall to cement and glass columns over 36” tall. Gas-fueled heaters can have a stronger, more effective heat than electric. Look for fire pits with cover pieces and glass surrounds to protect the flame surface of gas-fueled burners from breezes and social traffic.

There are plenty of accessories to work with outdoor fire pits. Look for cooking grates and mesh covers for wood burning fire pits. Decorative fire glass and lava rock, as well as glass and metal windscreens offer the perfect finishing touch to gas-burning fire trays. Propane tank covers are available to hide the bulky tank and protect the connection lines. 

Another tip to protect your outdoor fire pit is to look for sun or dust covers, whether for the fire pit or tabletop style fireplace. The covers can keep the dust and other weather debris away from the burners when not in use to protect the outlet and prevent grime and clogs.

Patio Heaters

For a more modern twist on outdoor heating, look to the patio heater. These accessories use electric or infrared heat to warm the area.

• Electric patio heaters will heat the air around the lamp, and offer a more direct heat, with quick heat up and cool down times. 
• Infrared or radiant lamps use light to slowly heat objects within the glow of the reflectors, such as anyone standing nearby, which then will help reflect the heat further. 

While recessed or wall-mounted patio heaters can be found in gas or electric fuel types, ceiling mounted Patio heaters will generally be found as electric powered lamps. They both offer electric heat or infrared heat wherever it is needed, even in enclosed spaces. They are useful in patio overhangs, or indoor settings, such as a workshop ceiling or sunroom wall. The best outdoor patio heater offers specialized installation options for under yard umbrellas, or ceramic screens designed to better disperse the heat while still blending into the decor of the space.

Freestanding patio heaters or table top patio heaters vary in size, from as small as 15” tall tabletop sized heaters, to over 96” tall floor units. They are available as electric heaters and as liquid propane patio heaters that rely on propane tanks. The standard 20 lb. propane tank can generate about 90,000 BTU, so many freestanding heaters will have a 90,000 BTU capacity. Freestanding heaters are generally more mobile and can be moved to where they are most likely to be used.

Permanent post heaters are installed directly into the ground and hooked up to a natural gas line. Because they are connected to the larger gas line, permanent post heaters can generate more heating power than a 20lb propane tank.

BTU for Outdoor Heating

The amount of energy it takes to heat or cool air is measured in BTU, or British Thermal Units. A single BTU is required to heat one pound of water, one degree, in fahrenheit. When it comes to finding the best outdoor electric heater and fire features, the higher the BTU, the higher the heat output. 

There are many variables involved with heating an outdoor area, including the fact that no two backyard spaces are exactly alike, so no generalization will be exact.

However, there is an easy formula to get a rough idea of what BTU power you’ll need for your space. 

(Cubic feet of area) x (desired temperature rise) = (BTU's needed)

Find the cubic area of your patio by multiplying the length by the width and approximate height to find the cubic feet of the area. Take that number and multiply it by the temperature change you would like the heater to provide. 

For instance, if it’s 62 degrees outside and you would prefer 72 during dinner, the best outdoor heater would have to be capable of adjusting the area by about 10 degrees.

With patio heaters and fire features, the BTU is in part determined by the type of fuel, and by the way the fuel is delivered to the burners.

While liquid propane may have a higher oxygen ratio per tank, when it comes to the fuel capacity, liquid propane has nearly double the BTU of natural gas. Liquid propane can provide 2,516 BTU per cubic foot, while natural gas comes in at 1,030 BTU per cubic foot. That means that, when using liquid propane, there is less fuel required to achieve the same amount of energy release as natural gas would use.

For natural gas patio heaters and liquid propane powered heaters, the PSI (pounds per square inch) capacity of the gas line that connects the patio heater to the fuel source will influence the power of the heater. That capacity is determined by the amount of air mixed with the fuel, the size of the line, and the distance between the heater and the fuel source. The larger the fuel line diameter, the more fuel is provided, and the shorter the line, the stronger the gas flow.

In the case of a 20 lb. propane tank, the tank and connection aren’t capable of providing more than 90,000 BTU, so any type of heater that uses that size liquid propane tank as fuel will be limited to 90,000 BTU by default.      

Many electric heaters will rate their energy usage as watts rather than in BTU. While this is useful to know how much power it will use up, it doesn’t tell you the range of the heat from the unit. To find the best outdoor electric heater for your space, you can convert the wattage to BTU to be sure the heater will do the job. 

Once you know the recommended BTU for your area, multiply the heater’s wattage by 3.41 per watt. 

The formula would look like this:

(Heater Wattage) x 3.41 = (BTU per hour)

Using this formula, an electric wall mounted heater that uses 1,800 watts would convert to 6,138 BTU and could cover a patio area under 1,000 square feet. The best outdoor electric heater for your patio will have a power wattage that is comparable to the necessary BTU of your space.

Outdoor Heating Safety Tips

The best outdoor patio heater will provide safety shut-off switches to quickly disable the fuel line, or a tip-over switch that can automatically turn the entire system off if the heater base is tilted or unevenly positioned. Open flame heat, of course, poses a danger when mishandled. To keep outdoor heating sources as safe as possible for everyone around them, it is important to enjoy them responsibly. 

Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind when using a fire pit or patio heater outdoors:

• Fire pits should only be used with adult supervision. Keep children and pets away from the flames.
• Never use flammable liquid to start a fire in a fire pit, particularly not in a gas-fueled burner.
• Do not use garbage to start or fuel fire in a fire pit, or anything else that will throw sparks.
• Open flames should always be watched and tended to. Put them out completely before leaving.
• Keep water or an appropriate fire extinguisher nearby when using the fire pit.
• Choose a fire pit with a screen or vent to help prevent escaped embers catching on other objects.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing when dealing with a fire pit; skirts and baggy shorts may get closer to the flames than you realize.
• Make sure there are no tripping hazards and allow plenty of walking clearance around the fire pit.
• Windy days and breezy areas with gusts over 10 mph are not ideal for open flames or unprotected patio heaters.

Fire Pit Location Tips

Some cities and municipal areas have placed specific restrictions on the use of fire pits and patio heaters, so you should always check local regulations. Ignoring local ordinances such as Spare the Air days or burn bans can result in fines or other legal actions. Just because you can buy a fire feature for your yard in your area does not mean you won’t be fined for using it outside of recommended hours, seasons, or within ideal locations and conditions.

It is important to only use outdoor heating alternatives in open, well-ventilated areas. Wood fire pits generate a lot of smoke, and gas-fueled heaters emit small amounts of dangerous gasses, like methane and carbon monoxide. Some fumes are flammable, as well as dangerous to breathe. Even use in enclosed gazebos or pergolas can be a hazard.

Install the fire pit in an area clear of yard debris and flammable materials. They should be 25 feet or more away from any buildings or decks, though the minimum considered should be at least 10 feet. Position the fire pit a safe distance away from trees, as flying embers can spark a fire easily, even when the branches are above your head. 

Fire pits and patio heaters should be used on concrete pads whenever possible, or 3 to 5 inches of a solid, sturdy rock base. Never use a fire pit on a grass lawn or a wooden deck. They should also be covered and secured against wind and wet conditions, or moved to a protected or indoors storage area.

The Best Outdoor Heating for Your Patio

When adding outdoor heating to your backyard layout, there are a few important considerations to help narrow down the best outdoor heater for your patio, deck, or yard.

Do you have the appropriate space? 

The effectiveness of the BTUs of the unit will depend on the layout of the patio, how many obstructions are between the heat source and you or your guests, and the overall climate of that area of the yard. For instance, some heaters will be far less effective if the outdoor temperature is at or below 40 degrees fahrenheit, and have very little impact on the cold.

Any fire feature, regardless of fuel type, will require a solid, sturdy surface to be placed on, with plenty of airflow surrounding it. If you’re looking to keep a smaller patio or cement deck area warm, chairs around a fire pit will keep things cozy for the immediate seating area. If you have a larger deck with dividing walls or tiered seating, or even cooling water features, it may be a good idea to get multiple hanging or floor standing patio heaters. 

What power sources are available to your patio?

If there are no easily accessible natural gas lines to your patio area, and you’re not interested in a remodel to retrofit the patio with permanent patio heaters or fire pits, look to the freestanding patio heaters. There are many eco-friendly heaters that optimize their power use to meet EPA standards and save you money.

For wood decks, consider only free standing patio heaters or tabletop fire trays, with electric or gas fueled burners. Steel-construction, wood burning fire pits burn very hot and, while they cast a lot of heat, the flames are less controllable even in ideal circumstances and sparks could catch a wood deck.

Can fire pits be placed in gazebos or under pergolas?

As with wood decks, a good alternative for heating gazebos and pergolas is to use electric patio heaters. There are risks with putting outdoor fire features under a rooftop of any sort. The deciding factor is the amount of free airflow around the firepit, allowing dispersal of harmful fumes, and the feature’s ability to contain any sparking embers. 

Keep in mind that, even in ideal situations, smoke and trapped heat can cause damage to unprotected ceilings over time, weakening beams and supports. Flying sparks could hit a wood beam or a cloth shade, even if they are the recommended distance from the fire. Always check local regulations, and consult with a professional landscaper or contractor from your area before placing fire features under any kind of structure in your yard.